ManchesterHighsummer program helping seniors prep for college
Aug. 7—Incoming Manchester senior Marissa Roy said the program would give her and her classmates a jump start on college preparation and reduce stress throughout their final high school years.
"If we start it now, it makes life so much easier during our senior year," Roy said.
Fellow upperclassman Malachi Ellis said he would have plenty of work to do with his classes, and the college prep course helped him get ahead when he was otherwise unoccupied.
Hazel Bandoh, another high school student on her final year, said she wouldn't have to rush to find colleges and finish her essay while balancing normal coursework.
"During school time we'll be really, really busy," Bandoh said.
Vanessa McGee, a college and career facilitator at Manchester High, said 92 students finished the program out of a total of 106 enrollees.
McGee said one part of the program is working on college essays, a lesson that begins in junior English courses. She said some students had theirs nearly complete, while others had barely written a word.
"Behind that wall is something," McGee said.
McGee said staff members help prospective college applicants research schools to apply to, apply for financial aid and scholarships, and gather necessary records together, including letters of recommendation.
Abby Marcantonio, a post-secondary success coach with RISE, said students in the program toured nearby college campuses this summer, trying to get information searching on a computer would never be able to provide them with.
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"They really got to the core of what they did like, what they didn't like," Marcantonio said.
The non-profit RISE Network partners with nine high schools across Connecticut — Manchester, East Hartford, Maloney (Meriden), Platt (Meriden), Hartford Public, Middletown, Naugatuck, Brien McMahon (Norwalk), and Westhill (Stamford) — to support students through various programs. RISE Network is associated with Dalio Education, which supported a number of Manchester initiatives this year with a $208,000 grant.
Marcantonio said RISE also works with underclassmen to help freshmen transition into their sophomore year, and provides a "summer melt" text message communication campaign to keep up with incoming seniors and keep them on track.
Marcantonio said the focus is not solely on students pursuing a four-year college. She said staff members can help those interested in military service figure out what milestones they need to hit, and those looking into other careers with starting certification programs.
McGee said Manchester Community College is a popular destination for students, especially with a new program allowing some to graduate debt-free. She said RISE pushes to make sure all students are proud of their future plans, not just those going to a big name college.
"As long as you have a plan, whatever works for you, we celebrate that," McGee said.
Ellis said he plans to major in business, possibly at Quinnipiac University or the University at Buffalo.
Roy said she is exploring the idea of going to the University of Connecticut or the University of Rhode Island for nursing.
Other summer school programs held at Manchester High this year include the Flight School, a program to help under-credited and over-aged students get back on track, and Jumpstart, which helps incoming freshmen transition from middle school.
